E1 electrifies London in showrun homecoming

E1, the world’s first all-electric raceboat series, electrified London today past iconic London landmarks including Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament, putting on a thrilling display on the Thames, where the idea was first born. 

 Now backed by some of the biggest names in sports, entertainment and business, the UIM E1 World Championship sees nine teams racing in the specially created E1 RaceBirds across four continents. 

 The first-of-a-kind electric raceboats combine fully electric propulsion with pioneering hydrofoil technology to ‘fly’ above the water at foiling speed. 

 The E1 RaceBirds appeared on the Thames for the first time where founders Alejandro Agag and Rodi Basso first came up with the idea during a socially distanced run. 

 With the support of the Port of London Authority, the E1 London Showrun presented by Bombay Sapphire surprised early morning commuters, joggers and fans and offered a window into the future of the electrification of the Thames as London’s famous waterway charts a course towards accelerated decarbonisation. 

 Backed by the likes of Rafael Nadal, NFL icon Tom Brady and Didier Drogba and broadcast to over 140 territories including ITV4 in the UK, CBS in the US and DAZN in Europe, the championship races in some of the world’s most iconic locations including Monaco, Miami, Doha and Jeddah with the aim to expand the over the next few years taking in more major cities. 

 Rodi Basso, E1 founder and Chief Executive Officer, said, “I’m humbled by this full-circle moment, seeing the E1 RaceBirds take flight on the Thames. With London being the birthplace of the idea for the Championship, it feels only right that the city gets to experience E1 firsthand for itself in such an iconic destination. 

 “Below the surface of E1’s adrenaline-fuelled electric racing series lies a mission to promote the restoration and protecting of our coastal waters and ecosystems through cutting-edge clean technologies. Witnessing the innovative E1 RaceBirds on this famous waterway gives me great hope E1 can make a lasting impact and usher in a more sustainable future of marine transport through our pioneering technology.”

Natasha Curtin, Global VP at Bombay Sapphire, adds: “Much like E1, London holds a very special place in our hearts as one of the most vibrant cocktail cities in the world. So, to be a part of this historic moment on the Thames—just a short distance from our award-winning distillery at Laverstoke Mill—is truly meaningful for Bombay Sapphire. 

 “As E1’s Global Gin Partner, we’ve already kicked off the European leg of the season in style, bringing our blue-inspired bars and exquisite cocktails to life in stunning locations like Lago Maggiore and Dubrovnik. Now, celebrating this momentous occasion together—watching our Bombay Sapphire branded E1 Racebird glide along such an iconic waterway—feels like the perfect way to mark what’s only the beginning of our electrifying partnership, built on a shared passion for innovation, sustainability, and immersing in the beauty of a moment.”

 In addition to being the Official Gin Partner of the UIM E1 World Championship, Bombay Sapphire is also the Presenting Partner of the E1 Series Blue Impact Championship, designed to protect nature’s natural blues, and heal water and local ecosystems where the championship takes place. 

 E1 is currently around the mid-point of the seven-race 2025 season, with the London Showrun taking place off the back of a landmark partnership deal with Bombay Sapphire. Following the departure of the E1 RaceBirds from London, they will be migrating to Monaco, the iconic home of racing, for the Championship’s fifth race.

 After that, the Championship will break new ground in Africa, with the lively coastline of Lagos hosting the penultimate race of the Championship. The highly anticipated finale will take place in Miami, where one team will be crowned the 2025 “Champions of the Water”.